I Have No Words

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Usually I can think of something to say about anything that happens. Today, however, I have no words. I’m thankful: our Constitution works, despite so-called “patriots” trying to undermine it. I’m also worried. In 1944 journalist John T. Flynn wrote a book called As We Go Marching: A Biting Indictment of the Coming Domestic Fascism in America. Yes, you read that right: he wrote it in 1944. His thesis was that the mindset that brought Hitler to power was not unique to Germany, and indeed could (and would) find its way into American thinking....in the guise of “patriotism.” Remember, this was written in 1944: When fascism comes it will not be in the form of an anti-American movement or pro-Hitler bund, practicing disloyalty. Nor will it come in the form of a crusade against war. It will appear rather in the luminous robes of flaming patriotism; it will take some genuinely indigenous shape and color, and it will spread only because its leaders, who are not yet visible, will know how to locate the great springs of public opinion and desire and the streams of thought that flow from them and will know how to attract to their banners leaders who can command the support of the controlling minorities in American public life. There’s a quote, misattributed to Sinclair Lewis, about fascism taking over America “wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” According to Snopes, Lewis did not say that (although there are a couple of quotes from books of his that could be combined and paraphrased into that statement). They do, however, cite a 1936 article in The Christian Century, quoting a man who stated in a meeting that fascism would appear in America “wrapped up in the American flag and heralded as a plea for liberty and preservation of the constitution.” Hoping to hear Rush Limbaugh, the iconic dean of conservative talk show hosts, denounce what happened yesterday, I tuned in to his show today. Instead, he was railing against the way the media covered the riots over the summer of 2020, compared to the attack on the Capitol. Again, I found words failing me when I heard that. TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT. Not now. Not ever. It doesn’t matter how the media portrayed the riots then. We’re talking about now; furthermore, we’re talking about a direct attack on the government of the United States of America. That’s much more than looting a Dollar General (which, don’t misunderstand me, is reprehensible). And Limbaugh just couldn’t bring himself to say what happened was wrong. So, after about 20 minutes of giving him the chance that he never took, I turned him off. Maybe it’s because I believe in God that I have a different outlook on things when someone I voted for doesn’t win an election. Psalms 2 says that God has installed His King, and the nations can rage and plot but nothing changes that. Then again....the same people who said that “God put Donald Trump in power” in 2016 won’t acknowledge that the same God took Trump out of power now??? I really do have no words. (And I’ve sure typed a lot for someone who doesn’t, haven’t I! ) At least The Bee Gees had words: